Automatic feeding mechanism for variety lathes



Dec. 17,1935. w HALL AUTOMATIC FEEDING MECHANISM FOR VARIETY LATHES 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 11, 1934 NNNH k mm L Dec. 17,1935. w. H. HALL AUTOMATIC FEEDING MECHANISM FOR VARIETY LATHES '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledMay 11, 1954 wayzizzz Dec; 17, 1935. w. H. HALL 2,024,640

Y AUTOMATIC FEEDING MECHANISMFOR VARIETY LATHES Filed May 11, 19-34 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 V lrcdenv &

Dec. 17,1935. w HALL 2,024,640

AUTOMATIC FEEDING MECHANISMFOR VARIETY LATHES Filed May 11, 1954 '7 Sheets-Sheet 41 J27 126 41 J27 J26 95 Ill AUTOMATIC FEEDING MECHANISM FOR VARIETY LATHES Filed May 11, 1934 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Dec. 17, 1935. w; H, AL 2,024,640

AUTOMATIC FEEDING MECHANISM FOR VARIETY LATHES Filed May 11, 1934 7 SheetsSheet 7 Patented Dec. 17, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcE AUTOMATIC FEEDING MECHANISM FOR VARIETY LATHES Walter H. Hall, Winchendon, Mass, assignor to Goodspeed Machine Company, Winchendon, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application May 11, 1934, Serial No. 725,160

7 Claims. .(Cl. 142-20) provide improved devices for placing successive work pieces in operative position in the machine, for transforming each work piece into a plurality of small duplicate parts, and for ejecting the remaining short stub from the driving chuck or spindle preliminary to. a further feeding operation.

My invention further relates to arrangements and combinations ofparts which will behereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

. Preferredforms of the invention are shown in the drawings, in which Fig. 1. is a front elevation of my improved lathe;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the lathe bed, partly broken away;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional elevation, taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 2; V V

;Fig. 5 is a detail longitudinal sectional elevation, taken along the line 5-'5 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the parts in a difierent' position;

Fig. '7 is a detail rear elevation, looking in the direction of the arrow 5 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a partial transverse sectional elevation, taken along the line 8--8 in Fig. 2;

Fig. '8 is a detail sectional view, taken along the line 88 in Fig.8; I

Fig. 9. is a view similar to Fig. 8 but showing the parts in a different position;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of certain parts shown in Figs. 8 and. 9 but in a further di'fferent position;

Fig. 11 is adetail plan view, looking in the direction of the arrow II in Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a detail plan View, looking in the direction of the arrow l2 inFig. 9; Y a

Fig. 13 is a front elevation of certain parts, looking in the direction of thearrow 13 in Fig. 2 but with the driving head approaching its extreme right-hand position;

Fig.- .14 is a view similar toFig. 13, but showing the parts in a difierent position;

Figs; 15 and 16 aredetail plan views, looking in the direction of the arrows l5 and It in Figs.

l3 and 1 respectively;

Fig. 17 is a view similar to Figs. 13 and l i'but showingan additional relation of parts;

Fig. 18 is a detail sectional end elevation, taken along the line iii-i8 in Fig. 1'7;

Fig. 19 is a view similar to Figs. 5 and 6 but showing the parts in an additional operative relation; 7

Fig. 20 is a detail front elevation of certain parts and illustrates the stub-ejecting operation;

Fig. 21 is a transverse sectional end elevation of a modified construction of feeding mechanism;

Fig. 22 is a detail plan view, looking in the 0 direction of the arrow 22 in Fig. 21;

Fig. 23 is a detail plan view, looking in th direction of. the arrow 23 in Fig. 21;

Fig. 24 is a side elevation of a further modified feeding mechanism; 15

Fig. 25 is a detail plan view, looking in the direction of the arrow 25 in Fig. 24;

Fig. 26 is a detail sectional elevation, taken along the line 2626 in Fig. 25, and V Figs. 27 and 28 are side elevations of certain 20 parts shown in Fig. 24 but with the parts in additional operative relations.

Referring to the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1 to 20, I have shown a so-called variety lathe having a bed 30 (Fig. 1) mounted 25 on legs 3! and having a drive shaft 32 continuously rotated by a motor M.

A work driving sleeve 33 is mounted in bearings 35 supported by a frame 35 (Fig. 2) secured in fixed position on the bed 30. The sleeve 30 38 is provided with a pulley 36 which is connected by a belt 37 to a driving pulley 38 on the shaft 32.

A work spindle 49 (Fig. 2) is rotatable in a bearing 4| on a work carriage 42 slidable on 35 guideways 53 on the bed 30. The work spindle 49 is loosely slidable in the work driving sleeve 33 and is keyed thereto so that a continuous driving connection is provided in any longitudinally adjusted position of the work spindle 40 relative to the sleeve 33.

The work spindle is provided with any usual type of work driving chuck fi l (Fig. 13) in which a Work piece or dowel W may be automatically centered and gripped. A counterweight G (Fig. 1) is connected by a rope 45 to the work carriage t2 and constitutes means for returning the carriage to initial loading position when released.

Work carriage feeding mechanism 50 For the purpose of intermittently feeding the work carriage 2 to the right, as viewed in Figs.

1 and'2, I provide a ratchet bar it (Fig. 3) fixed on the frame 3B, and a ratchet or feed bar 49 slidable lengthwise in guideways on the frame 30.

The feed bar 49 has a cam roll 50 (Fig. 19) mounted beneath one end of the bar and positioned for engagement by a cam 5! (Fig. 3) mounted on a cam shaft 52 (Fig. 1) rotatable in bearings supported by the bed 33 and provided with a large gear 54 engaged by a pinion 55- mounted on a short intermediate shaft and having a large pulley 53 associated and rotatable therewith.

The pulley 55 is connected by a belt 5! to a small pulley 58 on a countershaft 59 mounted in fixed bearings 55. The shaft 59 has a cone pulley 6! connected by a belt 62 to a cone pulley 63 on a back shaft 64, also rotatable in fixed bearings and provided with a pulley 65 connected by a belt 55 to a pulley 6! on the main driving shaft 32.

An idler pulley or belt tightener I is provided for the belt and may be manually moved to operative or inoperative position by means of a handle 59. During the normal operation of the machine, the pulley I5 maintains the belt 51 in tight driving relation on the pulleys 5S and 58.

I thus provide for relatively continuous slow rotation of the feed cam 5!, by which rotation the feed bar 49 is given intermittent longitudinal feeding movements. The return movement of the feed bar 49 is effected by a spring I2 (Fig. 5) connected to a pin I3 projecting downward from the feed bar 49.

A cross shaft I5 (Fig. 4) is mounted in bearings 15 and I! on the work carriage 42 and has a feed pawl 80 (Fig. 5) secured thereto and positioned for engagement by the feed bar 49. A holding pawl 8| is loosely mounted on the cross shaft 15 in position to engage the teeth of the stationary ratchet bar 43. The hub 82 of the feed pawl 85 has an enlarged flange 83 (Figs. 4 and 5) provided with a pin 86 extending under the holding pawl 8!.

During the normal feeding operation, the pin 86 clears the holding pawl 8!, so that the pawl 8I prevents return movement of the work carriage 42 after each forward feeding movement thereof.

A spring 8'! (Figs. 4 and '7) is connected to a pin 88 in a collar 89 fixed torthe cross shaft 15 and tends to rotate the cross shaft I5 in a direction to cause the feed pawl 89 to engage the feed bar 49.

At each movement to the right of the feed bar 49, the work carriage is advanced one or more spaces to the right, the number of spaces being in accordance with the formation of the cam 5!. After each such movement, the holding pawl 8! prevents return movement of the carriage by the counterweight G while the feed bar 49 is returning to initial position.

Work carriage release Special mechanism is provided for releasing the work carriage preparatory to'its return to initial position after the carriage has completed its feeding movement to the right in Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring particularly to Figs. 13, 14 and 17, a bell crank 99 is mounted on a stud 9! supported by the work carriage 42 and is provided with arms 92 and 93 and a lug 94. The arm 92 is' pivotally connected to a bar 95 vertically slidable in a bracket 96 projecting downward from the work carriage 42 outside of the frame 35.

The arm 93 is connected by a link 9! to an arm 98 fixed to the end of the shaft I5.

A latch arm I 00 is loosely pivoted on the shaft I5 and has a downward projection I0! normally resting on the lug 94 previously described. The 5 projection IEII is held firmly seated on the lug 94 by a spring I52 connected at its lower end to the bracket 95. The arm I0!) is also provided with a handle I03 for manual operation.

A release lever I05 (Fig. 18) is mounted on a fixed pivot I05 and is provided with a cam roll I5! engaging a cam I08 on the cam shaft 5?. previously described. A compression spring I59 causes the cam roll III! to maintain yielding engagement with the cam I08. The lever I05 projects forward through an opening I!!! in the front of the bed 33 and is provided with an adjustable contact screw III.

During the normal operation of the machine, the release lever I55 oscillates idly, but when. the feeding movement to the right is completed, the contact screw III engages the lower end of the bar 95 as shown in Fig. 17, rocking the bell crank 90 and operating through the link 9'! and arm 98 to raise the pawls 89 and 8! to the inoperative position shown in Fig. 19. As this position is reached, the projection I0! (Fig. 17) drops in front of the lug 94 and prevents return movement of the bell crank 9!! and parts controlled thereby.

The counterweight G then returns the work carriage 42 toward the left until it approaches its initial position, in which position a cam member I I4 (Fig. l) on a bar II5 engages the end of the latch arm I00 and lifts the arm to release the lug 94 as indicated in Figs. 1, 13 and 14. After such release, the feed pawls return automatically to the operative positions indicated in Figs. 5 and 6.

The bar II5 (Fig. 2) is preferably provided with an elongated slot I It so that it may be secured by clamping screws II! in adjusted longitudinal position, thus varying the return limit of work carriage movement.

A cushioning rod I20 (Fig. 1) is slidable in fixed bearings I2! and is provided with a spring I22 by which it is pressed yieldingly into position for engagement by the work carriage 42 as the carriage approaches initial position. The carriage is thus cushioned as it is brought to rest, and abrupt shock is avoided.

An arm I23 (Figs. 13 and 17) is connected to the bell crank 90 and projects upward therefrom for convenient manual operation of the bell crank to stop the feed at any desired point.

Ey'ecting device Referring particularly to Figs. 13 to 1'7 and Fig. 20, I have provided a device for ejecting the short stub S of the work piece W after the last turning operation thereon.

For this purpose I provide a yoke I25 (Fig. 13) pivoted at I26 on an arm'l2'! projecting forward from the top of the work spindle bearing 4! on the work carriage 42. A spring I28 holds the yoke I25 normally in the position shown in Figs. 13 and 14. V

A stud I39 projects downward from the endof the yoke I25 into position to engage a latch I3! (Fig. 15) pivoted at I32 on a fixed bracket I33. The latch I3! is normally held yieldingly against a stop pin I34 by a spring I35. The outer end of the latch I3! is'offset upwardly, as shown in Figs. Band 14, and is provided with a shoulder I36'and a beveled end face I31.

boring drill MI and cutting-off saw I42.

As the work carriage 42 moves to the: right, the stud I30 engages the cam face I31 and swings the latch I3I to the dotted line position in Fig. 16. As soon as the stud I30 passes the shoulder. I36, the latch returns to the position shown in full lines in Fig. '16, with the stud I30 at the right of the shoulder I36.

As the carriage 42 is thereafter released and ,moves to the left, as viewed in the drawings, the

yoke I25 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 20 and a projection I31 thereon engages the short stub S and ejects it from the driving chuck 44 on the end of the work spindle 40. The chuck is thus cleared as return movement of the work carriage 42 commences, so that there is no interference with the new work piece W when inserted.

-The lathe may be equipped with any desired turning .tool I40 (Fig. 2) and also with a center The saw I42 may be mounted on a spindle I43 rotatable in swinging bearings I44 and may be connected by a pulley I45 (Fig. l) belt I46 and pulley I41 to the back shaft 54 previously described. These turning, boring and cutting-off tools are of the usual type and form no part .of'my present invention. a

Stock feeding mechanism The mechanismfor feeding stock to the lathe is best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 8 to 12 inclusive.

Referring to these figures, I have provided a hopper comprising upwardly extending end members I50 and I5I (Fig. 1) spacedapart to provide guideways for the ends of the pieces of work W which are held in storage in the hopper.

These members I50 and I5I are mounted on brackets I52 (Fig. 4) secured to the lathe bed 30 and longitudinally adjustable thereon in accordance with the length of the work.

'Carriers I53 (Fig. 8) are slidable on guiding supports I54 extending forwardly and downwardly from brackets I55 (Fig. 8) mounted for vertical adjustment on stands [I50 secured to the bed 30 and longitudinally adjustable thereon.

A link I51 (Fig. 8) for each carrier I53 is connected at one end to a. lug I58 (Figs. 8 and 8 depending from the carrier and at the other end to a bar I00 pivoted at IBI to an arm I62 fixed to a rock shaft I63. The bar I60 has a bolt and segmental .slot connection to the arm I02, so that it may be conveniently adjusted angularly relative thereto.

' 'The shaft I10 is mounted in a fixed bearing HI and is provided at its upper. end with an arm I12 (Fig. 8). having a cam follower or stud I13 which cooperates with .a cam .groove l14 (Figs.'2 and 8) in a cam plate I15 which may.

' be secured in longitudinally adjusted position on r a bar I16extending to the leftfrom the work carriage 4! as viewed in Fig.2. 7 7

'As the work carriage 42 is reciprocated, the cam follower I13 will follow the front branch I of the. camgroove !14 as the Work carriage. 42 is moved to the left to initial positiQn and vwillfollowthe rear branchfI 8| of thecam groove I14 as thework carriage is intermittently fed to the right during the operation of the lathe.

The rock shaft I03 is thus given an anticlockwise movement from the position shown in Fig. '9 to the position shown in Fig. 8 as the return movement of the work carriage is completed, and is given a clockwise movement soon after the intermittent feeding of the work carriage to the right begins.

In this manner the carriers I53 (Fig. 8) are advanced toward the axis of the work spindle 40 at each return of the work carriage 42 to initial position and are thereafter withdrawn to normal inoperative position as shown in Fig. 9.

A work-holding latch I84 (Figs. 8, 10, and 11) is pivoted at I85 to the front end of each carrier I53 and is normally maintained against a stop I86 by a spring I81. In this position latches I84 retain the lowermost work piece W on the carriers I53, as indicated in Fig. 9.

The latches remain in this position as the carrier is advanced to move the work piece to the position indicated in 8, but yield as indicated in Fig. 10 to clear the work as the carriers are withdrawn.

A cam bar I90 (Figs. 8 and 9) forms part of an offset projection I9I of each guideway I54, and the beveled front end of each bar I90 engages a stud I92 on the side of the associated latch I84 and positively returns the latch to holding position as the carriers are withdrawn to the position shown in Fig. 9, thus preventing the possibility of the latches remaining in the inoperative position indicated in Fig. 10.

A plate 200 (Figs. 8 and 8 is secured to the side of each carrier I53 by binding screws 20I extending through inclined slots 202. arating and retaining member 204 is slidable in guideways on the top of each plate 200 and has a reduced and pointed end portion 205 adapted to be inserted between the two lowermost pieces of work W in thehopper at the beginning of afeeding movement.

I Each member 204 has a pin and slot connection with a lever 200 (Fig. 11) pivoted at 201 to one of the carriers I53 and normally held yieldingly against an adjustable stop 208 by a tension spring 209. 'An abutment plate 2I0is adjustably secured to the side of each fixed cam bar I90 in position for engagement by the associated lever 206 as thev carrier I53 moves forward. Such movement advances the member 204 more rapidly than the carrier I53 and thus inserts the end portion 205 of the member 204 under the second work piece W in the hopper before the lowermost work piece is removed.

Each member 204 continues its advance movement relative to the carrier I53 until the parts reach the position indicated in Fig. 8, in which position the work W is aligned with the work spindle 40 and chuck 44. This movement is effected by travel of the cam follower I13 (Fig. 2) along the front portion I80 of the cam groove I14 and along the inclined right-hand end portion of the cam groove (as'vi'ewed in Fig. 2) until the cam follower I13 enters the rear straight portion IBI- of the cam groove. 7

The work piece is then held loosely in alignment with the work spindle 40 while the intermittent work feeding movement commences. The axial spacing of the latches I04 and members 204 (Fig. 2) from the initial left-hand position of the chuck 44 permits the work-holding devices to remain in work-presenting position until the cam follower J13 enters the inclined left-hand end portion of the cam groove I14,

A septhereby withdrawing the feeding devices to the position shown in Fig. 9.

As the work feed. continues, the cam roll I13 leaves the cam groove I14 and in order to pre- 1 vent displacement of the feeding mechanism during such further operation of the machine, I provide a fiat spring 2I2 (Figs. 9 and 12) mounted in fixed position and having a cupped portion 2I3 to receive the rounded point of a screw 2I4 threaded in the arm I66. When the parts are moved to the position shown in Fig. 9, the end of the screw 2M enters the cup 2I3 and yieldingly prevents displacement of the parts.

Having described the details of construction of one form of my invention, the method of operation thereof will be readily apparent. Assuming that the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 8, with the work carriage 42 in its extreme left-hand position, the continuous operation of the cam 5| will intermittently advance the Work carriage to the right, causing the chuck 44 to engage the piece of stock W. After a brief interval the cam plate I15 will act through the described connections to withdraw the feeding mechanism to the position shown in Fig. 9. During such withdrawal, the latches I84 will yieldingly pass under the work W as indicated in Fig. 10.

As the carriage continues to feed to the right, the cam follower I13 leaves the straight portion I80 of the cam groove I14 but is retained in inoperative position by the spring 2I2 (Fig. 12) as previously described.

Upon completion of the desired number of operations on the work, the contact screw III (Figs. 17 and 18) engages the slide bar 95 and releases the pawls 80 and 8|, latching the parts in the inoperative position shown in Figs. 17 and 19 during the return movement of the work carriage 42. During such return movement, the short remaining stub S of the work piece is removed from the chuck by the yoke I25, as indicated in Fig. 20.

As the work carriage approaches its left-hand limit of movement, the cam follower I13 again enters the cam slot I14 and operates to advance a fresh work piece W into alignment with the chuck 44. Automatic operation of the machine thus continues so long as the hopper is kept supplied with work pieces.

All parts of the device are made readily adjustable, so that the hopper may receive work pieces of any desired length and so that the latches I84 and members 254 may be spaced properly in relation to the length of the work pieces. The parts may also be adjusted as desired to accommodate work pieces of different diameters.

Simplified feeding mechanism In Figs. 21 to 23 I have shown a modified construction in which the feeding mechanism is somewhat simplified and in which the parts may be positioned more closely adjacent axially for shorter work pieces. shown the work pieces W positioned in guide- Ways in a hopper I5IE as in the previous form. Each latch 220 is, however, pivoted at 22l on a supporting arm 222 having a bolt and slot connection with the upper'end of a member 223, which in turn has a bolt and slot connection with an arm 224 fixed to a rock shaft 225 (Fig. 22). 7

The shaft 225 has an arm 226 (Fig. 21) con- In these figures I have,

nected by a link 221 to an arm 228 secured to an upright shaft 229 mounted in a fixed vertical bearing 230 and having an arm 23I (Fig. 23) provided with a cam follower 232 positioned to enter a cam slot 233 in a cam plate 234 corresponding to the cam plate I15 previously described.

As the cam follower 232 traverses the cam groove 233, the supports 222 are moved forward and rearward, as in the case of the carriers I53 previously described.

A separator bar 249 (Fig. 22) is slidable on a plate 24I secured to each support 222. Each bar 240 has a pin and slot connection to a lever 242 pivoted at .243 on its support 222 and is engaged by an abutment plate 244 on a cam bar 245, as in the previous construction.

Each cam bar 245 is mounted on a fixed cross rod 246, which cross rod also supports a fiat spring 241 corresponding in function to the 20 spring 2I2 previously described and operative to hold the parts in the inoperative dotted line position indicated in Fig. 21 during operations on the work piece.

The operation of this form of my invention is substantially the same as that previously described, but the connections are rather more direct and the axial space required between the parts is somewhat reduced.

Feeding mechanism for square stock In Figs. 25 to 28 I have shown a modified construction particularly adapted for use with stock of square cross section. In this construction, brackets 253 are mounted on the bed 30 and each bracket is provided with an inclined dove-tailed guiding portion 25I on which a carrier 252 is slidable. 7

Each carrier 252 has a depending lug 253 (Fig. 25), corresponding to the lug I58 (Fig. 8) on the carrier I53 previously described and the carriers 252 are adapted to be operated by the actuating mechanism provided for the carriers I53 and shown in detail in Figs. 2 and 8.

A stud 255 is fixed in the forward end of the carrier 252 and supports a pair of work-engaging members 256 and 251. I

The member 256 (Fig. 26) has a laterally projecting lug 260 normally engaging a lug 26I on the adjacent side of the carrier 252. A spring 262 acts to swing the member 256 in a clockwise direction to cause the lugs 260 and 26I to' engage. A stop pin 263 limits anti-clockwise movement of the member 256 by engaging the top of the lug 26 I.

The member 256 also has a depending arm 264 positioned for engagement by the end of a stop rod 265 adjustably secured in a block 266 fixed to the guiding portion 25I of the bracket 256. As the carrier 252 reaches its normal withdrawn or inoperative position, the rod 265 engages the arm 264 and. swings the member 256 slightly rearward, as indicated in Figs. 24 and 26, to facilitate insertion of a fresh piece of work W.

The member 251 is retained in position by the head 210 of the stud 255. The member 251 has angularly disposed surfaces 2H and 212, either of which may be yieldingly engaged by a fiat spring 213 mounted on a bracket 214 secured to the carrier 252 and movable therewith.

' 'The member 251 also has a pin 215 projecting laterally into position for engagement by an abutment 216 secured to the end of the block 256 previously described. When the carrier 252 returns to normal inoperative position, the pin 215 engages the abutment 216 and the member 251 is moved'to the position shown in Fig. 24, with the spring 213 engaging the fiat surface 2'.

As the carriers are moved to initial or withdrawn position, separator bars 280 (corresponding in all respects to the separator bars 204 previously described), are withdrawn, permitting a fresh piece of work W, to drop between the members 256 and 25!v on the carriers 252, as indicated in Fig. 24.

The carriers are then advanced, moving the parts to the dotted line position in Fig. 24, in which position the work is aligned with the work spindle by which it is thereafter centered and rotated.

During initial rotation of the work piece, the members 256 and 25! yield slightly as indicated in Fig. 2'7 until the carriers are withdrawn; During such withdrawal, the members 251 swing to the position shown in Fig. 28, with the fiat springs 213 engaging the fiat surfaces 212. As the return movement is completed, the pins 215 engage the stops 216 and thereby restore the members 251 to initial position.

This form of my invention is thus well adapted for use with stock of non-circular cross section.

Having thus described my invention and certain modifications thereof, I do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set forth in the claims, but what I claim is:-

1.- In a variety lathe having a bed, in combina' tion, a work carriage, a work hopper mounted in fixed position on said bed, spaced carriers operative to advance selected work pieces to Working position, a cam plate movable with said carriage and having a double-branched cam groove therein, an arm having an operative connection to said carriers and having a cam follower positioned to enter one branch of said cam groove and to be moved thereby in one direction as said carriage returns to initial position and positioned to enter the second branch of said cam groove and to be movedthereby in the opposite direction as said carriage is fed from initial position.

2. The combination in a variety lathe as set forth in claim 1, in which said cam follower leaves said cam groove during continued feeding of said carriage from initial position and re-enters said cam groove as said carriage returns and approaches initial position, and in which means is provided to yieldingly prevent movement of said arm and cam follower when said cam follower is out of said cam groove.

3. In a variety lathe having a bed, in combination, a work carriage, a work hopper mounted in fixed position on said bed, spaced carriers operative to advance selected work pieces to working position, each carrier having a separator bar slidably mounted thereon, and means to advance each separator bar more rapidly than its carrier to a position in which it constitutes an upper retaining member for the selected work piece when said work piece is advanced to Working position.

4. In a variety lathe having a bed, in combination, a work carriage, a work hopper mounted in fixed position on said bed, spaced carriers operative to advance selected work pieces to working position, each carrier having a separator bar slidably mounted thereon, a lever for each separator bar pivoted on the associated carrier, and a fixed abutment for each lever which is engaged thereby at the opposite side of the axis of said lever from said separator bar as the carriers are advanced, whereby said separator bars are advanced more rapidly than said carriers to positions in which they form upper retaining members for the selected work piece.

5. In a variety lathe having a bed, in combination, a work carriage, a work hopper mounted in fixed position on said bed, spaced carriers operative to advance selected work pieces to working position, means to advance and withdraw said carriers in predetermined relation to the movements of said work carriage, a pair of work-holding members pivotally mounted on each carrier, one of each pair of said members being yieldingly movable to an inoperative position to clear the work as withdrawal of said carriers begins, means to hold said members yieldingly in inoperative position, and means to restore said members to operative position as withdrawal of said carriers is completed.

6. In a variety lathe having a bed, in combination, a work carriage, a work hopper mounted in fixed position on said bed, spaced carriers operative to advance selected work pieces to working position, a cam plate fixed to and movable with said carriage and having a substantially diamond-shaped cam groove therein, an arm having a cam follower positioned to enter said cam grooveand to be moved positively in both directions thereby, and connections from said arm to said carriers, said connections including a horizontal rock shaft positioned at the back of the lathe, a pair of twopart lever arms mounted on said rock shaft and link-connected tosaid carriers, and means to secure the two parts of each lever arm in angularly adjusted relation.

7. In a variety lathe having a bed, in combination, a work carriage, a work hopper mounted in fixed position on said bed, spaced carriers operative to advance selected work pieces to working position, supports on which said carriers are slidably mounted, a rock shaft to which said supports are secured, and cam means and connections to rock said shaft and supports in one direction as said work carriage returns to initial position and in the opposite direction as said work carriage is moved to feed the work axially,

said cam means and connections including a vertically-disposed cam-oscillating shaft, arms on said vertical shaft and said rock shaft, and a direct link connection between said arms.

WALTER H. HALL. 

